Zohran Mamdani-Backed Candidates Sweep New York House Primaries, Unseating Incumbents

Zohran Mamdani, the New York mayor, backed three left-wing candidates who won Democratic primaries for U.S. House seats on Tuesday night, reshaping the party’s congressional landscape in New York.

“NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani flexed his political muscle Tuesday, getting a clean sweep as his three endorsed congressional candidates advanced to November's general election, ousting two incumbent Democratic congressmen”

ABC7 New York

CBS News projected Brad Lander would beat Rep. Dan Goldman in NY-10, and projected Darializa Avila Chevalier would defeat Rep. Adriano Espaillat in NY-13.

ABC7 New York

In NY-7, CBS News projected Claire Valdez would win the Democratic primary to replace Rep. Nydia Velazquez, while in NY-12 CBS News projected Micah Lasher would win as Rep. Jerry Nadler prepares to retire.

The BBC described the sweep as a sign that Mamdani’s decisive mayoral victory “was no fluke,” pointing to Lander and Chevalier unseating incumbent Democratic congressmen and Valdez beating an opponent backed by much of New York City’s Democratic establishment.

The Hill framed the NY-13 race as one of several tests of Mamdani’s influence, saying Chevalier defeated Espaillat after Mamdani endorsed her against the five-term incumbent.

Chevalier’s victory party drew national attention, and CNN reported she told supporters, “Today we make it clear the politics of the past ends today,” as the crowd responded with cheers.

In the same race, Espaillat conceded to CBS News that “Tonight wasn't our night, but I love you anyway,” after losing to the Mamdani-backed Chevalier in the Democratic primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District.

BBC

The Guardian said Mamdani’s backing produced a clean sweep over establishment-backed rivals, describing the outcome as voters preferring “Mamdani and his brand of democratic socialism to the Democratic party establishment.”

NPR tied the primaries to divisive issues across the Democratic Party, quoting Mamdani saying Tuesday night, “it was the beginning,” after endorsing leftist candidates who criticized Israel and pushed ambitious economic policies.

CNN also reported that Mamdani stood behind his support for Chevalier, saying just before she took the stage, “I can think of no one better than someone of clarity, of conscience and of conviction to be the next congressperson.”

The primaries were portrayed as a preview of ideological battles ahead, with CNN projecting that Mamdani-backed Lander, Valdez and Chevalier would win House primaries and offering “a preview of the ideological battles to come as Democrats look ahead to 2028.”

“What to know about the 2026 New York primary elections - All three candidates backed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, were projected to win their Democratic primaries Tuesday night”

CBS News

BBC reported that because the three newly minted Democratic congressional nominees in New York are “virtual locks” in November, Mamdani’s socialist movement is “spilling out into national politics,” potentially increasing the left-wing contingent if Democrats gain a House majority.

ABC7 New York said the three victors were expected to win their blue districts and that their wins would “also place three Mamdani allies in Congress come January.”

NPR described the political stakes as a forecast for Democrats, noting that Mamdani endorsed three competitive House primary matchups and that “All three candidates won,” including two challenges to sitting Democratic lawmakers.

Fox News framed the internal party consequences through the reaction of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who told CNN that she was “disappointed” in Mamdani’s growing clout after socialist candidates rode his endorsement to primary victories.